The School of Intervention Services (SIS) offers programs leading to the Master of Education degree in the following specializations/emphasis areas: Mild-Moderate Intervention Specialist, Moderate-Intensive Intervention Specialist, Hearing Impairment Intervention Specialist, Gifted Education Intervention Specialist, Early Childhood Intervention Specialist and Assistive Technology.

Certified teachers or individuals with undergraduate degrees can add additional areas of licensure and/or endorsement to their teaching licenses by completing specifically designated course work. Some licensure areas require the successful completion of the PRAXIS exams. Currently five licensure areas are available to students who hold a valid Ohio teaching license and wish to pursue licensure at the graduate level: mild-moderate intervention specialist, moderate-intensive intervention specialist, hearing impaired intervention specialist, gifted and talented intervention specialist, and early childhood intervention specialist. Teaching endorsements in reading and transition-to-work are also available.

The mild-moderate program is designed to provide specialized training in theoretical foundations and in practical technical skills for individuals planning to teach children and adolescents (grades K-12) who have mild disabilities (learning disabilities) to moderate disability (developmentally delayed). Students enrolled in this specialization become knowledgeable in assessment/evaluation of disabilities, development of service options, curriculum alternatives and modifications, behavior management, transitioning, computer and technical applications, collaborating with parents and other professionals, current trends and issues, and research.

Individuals who enter the moderate-intensive program will receive specialized training in characteristics, assessment, and identification of students with moderate (emotional and behavioral disorders) to intensive (multiple disorders) disabilities. They will learn academic and behavior management methods, adapted curriculum alternatives and modifications, physical and medical management options, transitioning, computer and technical applications, collaborating with parents and other professionals, and current trends and issues. Students will become knowledgeable and competent in prevocational and vocational skill development, community instruction, provision of adult services, and development of career options. Individuals licensed in this area will be qualified to teach children and adolescents (grades K-12) who have moderate to intensive disabilities in a variety of environments where these children with disabilities are served.

Students in the hearing impaired specialization (HI) study the structure, acquisition, and development of language; speech and hearing mechanisms; methods of teaching speech and speech reading; curriculum development; educational guidance of students with hearing disabilities; and communication systems, current trends, issues, and research. Individuals with this licensure area will be qualified for employment in public and private programs for children with various levels of hearing impairments.

The early childhood intervention specialist program is designed for individuals planning to work with infants, toddlers, and young children from birth through eight years of age, which requires knowledge and skills in both early childhood education and special education. The program includes course work and supervised experiences in both disciplines. Individuals completing this program will meet all the requirements for licensure in the following areas: pre-kindergarten licensure, early childhood intervention specialist licensure, and early intervention certification (issued through the Ohio State Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities). A pre-kindergarten or special education license is required prior to the early childhood intervention specialist license.

Students in the gifted education program acquire skills in curriculum development; development of critical and creative thinking skills; and development of independent learning abilities. A license in the education of the gifted is required to work with this population in Ohio's schools. The School offers a full array of courses leading to a K-12 endorsement or licensure in teaching the gifted. The sequence provides a solid grounding in the history of the field; techniques for identification, assessment, and evaluation; techniques for modification of curriculum; and methods for a variety of school settings.

Prerequisites to Graduate Work

Applicants planning to major in special education must possess a valid baccalaureate degree in special education, elementary education, secondary education, or in a related field. Applicants must meet academic and personal qualifications, as determined from an interview with the school graduate coordinator, and as established by the school graduate advisory committee.

If prerequisite deficiencies exist, additional course work may be required as a condition of admission. Deficiencies may be repaired concurrently with the beginning of the graduate program but such course work does not count toward degree requirements.

Admission Procedure

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate programs in special education should follow the instructions outlined in the "Graduate Admission" section of the Graduate College Catalog.

• Received a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Completed Application sent to Graduate School
• Had two copies of all Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts sent to Graduate School for review (except for BGSU transcripts)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 for regular admission to Graduate College
• Sent results/scores of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test to Graduate School
• Completed a licensure form with a statement of "good moral character"
• Submitted two (2) letters of reference
• Submitted a position paper   (see guidelines, copy may be submitted with assistantship application)
• Interviewed with program coordinator and/or other program faculty

Applicants should also contact the School of Intervention Services for additional admission information (Dr. Lessie L. Cochran at llcochr@bgnet.bgsu.edu or 419.372.7298).

Master of Education in Special Education : Candidates must have completed, or will complete, the basic licensure requirements for teaching in the state of Ohio for their area of specialization. Candidates must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of 600-level credit. The following ten semester hours of course work are required: EDIS 649; EDIS 698; EDFI 641; and EDFI 642 or REHB 678. The areas of specialization determine additional requirements.

Licensure Program : Candidates choose from seven areas of specialization. For specific requirements, contact the coordinator of graduate studies. The programs offer licensure for students possessing a baccalaureate degree and/or a teaching certificate/validation/license who choose not to pursue a M.Ed. degree but desire to meet licensure requirements in the state of Ohio for teaching in one or more of the following areas: mild-moderate intervention specialist, moderate-intensive intervention specialist, hearing impaired intervention specialist, gifted and talented intervention specialist, and early childhood intervention specialist.

Graduate Courses

Please access graduate courses online at http://webapps.bgsu.edu/courses/search.php . Graduate courses offered by the School of Intervention Services use the prefixes: EDIS.